Ashley, Executive Director
Ashley is Haudenosaunee, wolf clan and traditionally from Tyendinaga, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte on her mother’s side and Hungarian on her father’s side. Ashley moved to Peterborough six years ago and comes to the Friendship Centre from Fleming College. Ashley has experience working within a Friendship Centre setting and was a former staff and board of director with the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre. She holds the Friendship Centre close to her heart, as it was the place where she had an opportunity to learn more about her own cultural identity.
Morghann, Administrative Assistant
Hi! My name is Morghann, and I am a member of Curve Lake First Nation and am of Irish descent on my mother’s side. I am a graduate of Fleming College where I took the Office Administration program. I have worked various jobs over the years but came to the Friendship Centre from a healthcare office where I worked as clerical support for a cardiologist. I was born and raised in Peterborough which has given me the passion to see our Urban Indigenous community prosper and flourish. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the NFC team and am looking forward to learning more about our Indigenous culture and community.
Samantha W, Community Wellness Coordinator
Samantha is a dedicated mom who is passionate about Housing First, Harm Reduction, and ending stigma against marginalized communities. With 5+ years of experience as a Personal Support Worker, she graduated from Fleming College in 2020 with a focus on Social Service Work, Mental Health and Addiction, and Indigenous Perspectives. Samantha recognizes the importance of family and culture throughout an individual’s life journey. She is committed to providing a trauma-informed approach to help folks achieve their goals while promoting culture, family, and personal healing.
Kimberly, Cultural Resource Coordinator
Kim is Anishinaabe and Metis, from northwestern Ontario, Longlac #58. She is a proud mother and grandmother. She grew up with her grandparents and was raised by her grandmother, who is a survivor of residential school. Kim has both formal and informal education, and holds an Honours BA from Trent University, a B.Ed from Nipissing University, along with many other diplomas and certificates. With over 40 years of experience working with and for First Nation communities, Kim is excited to work at Nogojiwanong Friendship Center.
Diane, Aboriginal Prenatal Nutrition Worker
Diane is an Anishnawbe Kwe, a mother, and Nookamis. She is a member of Hiawatha First Nation. Throughout her career, Diane has held various roles, with most of her time spent working with First Nation students, special needs students, and student success programs in the Simcoe County Board of Education. Additionally, she has worked in the Indigenous community as an Aboriginal Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Worker, Duty to Consult Consultation Worker, and Acting Assistant Manager. Diane brings great resources, networking connections, and ongoing enrichment of her culture and traditions to our Centre.
Helen, Aboriginal Family Support Worker
Helen graduated as a Child and Youth Worker from Humber College in 1979 and has dedicated her career to supporting the social, emotional and mental health needs of children and their families. She has worked for the past twenty-two years as Health Promotion Coordinator, Families First Worker and Preschool Consultant with Kinark Child and Family Services. This has provided her with a well-rounded understanding of needs and barriers to raising young children as well as a clear understanding of available community supports and resources. Helen is passionate about meeting the grassroots needs of families and firmly believes that “all children do well if they can”. She is excited about learning and incorporating spiritual and good life teachings into programs and workshops for young children and their families.
Matthew, Program Manager
Aaniin! My name is Matthew and I am of Polish, Irish and Norwegian descent. I have worked for the urban Indigenous community of Nogojiwanong since 2013 through positions held at our Friendship Centre and at Nijjkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle. Both are wonderful organizations that strive to provide services for the community and opportunities for positive change, personal growth, and aim to enhance the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of individuals and families. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be a helper for the community and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to do so as the Program Manager. I look forward to meeting you, working with you, and helping you to achieve your goals!
Melinda, Life Long Care Worker
Melinda is an Anishnaabe Kwe from Curve Lake First Nation. She came to the Friendship Centre from Curve Lake First Nation where she enjoyed working as the Community Health Representative. She has more than 17 years of experience and has obtained a Native Community Care Diploma offered by Mohawk College. She has a very keen passion for healthy living and has personally taken steps in her life to create healthy personal change. She enjoys sharing her knowledge through workshop presentations and skills training and her passion and dedication towards clients and the community shine through in her work.
E Naakniind Anishinaabe – Indigenous Peoples Court – Coordinator
Addictions and Mental Health Program Worker
Nikita, Mental Health and Well-Being Worker
Nikita was raised by her grandmother in M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island, in a combined traditional and Christian household. She was brought up with strong family values, living off the land, and was taught the importance of self-perseverance. These lessons have enabled her to be supportive and understanding of people’s decisions and life choices. This ties into her firm belief and approach to working with people where they are at, and not dictating to them where they should be. Nikita graduated from Fleming College in the dual pathway program: Mental Health and Addictions, as well as Social Service Worker. She also obtained the Indigenous Perspective Designation Certificate. Nikita believes that addiction and trauma are closely linked and can significantly impact an individual’s mental well-being. Nikita is excited to be a part of the Friendship Centre team and has a strong passion for supporting individuals on their healing journey, walking alongside them on their paths to recovery.
Em, Gender Diverse Indigenous Mentor
Em is Two-Spirit, of mixed Anishinaabe and European ancestry. They are of the bear clan with ties to Serpent River First Nation. They grew up and lived in Toronto until relocating to Peterborough two years ago. Em has a background in the arts as well as customer service and peer support work. Em is passionate about supporting Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ youth through developing and sustaining safe and supportive spaces. They believe that connection to culture can (and should) be an affirming experience regardless of gender and/or sexuality. In their spare time, Em likes to bead, paint, and take their dog on walks by the river.
Nancy, Early Years Cultural Resource Coordinator
My name is Nancy. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator and a member of Alderville First Nation. I have a love for learning. In 2004, I graduated from Fleming College’s Educational Assistant Program, and in 2012, I completed the Business Operations Program. I also completed The Binoojiinyag Kinoomaadwin Native Early Childhood Education Program in 2019. As a mom and grandmother, I have a passion for working with young children. I have worked as a Early Childhood Education for 15+ years. I have worked with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children. My biggest joy is watching the children grow and flourish! I am extremely happy to be part of the Nogojiwanong team and working with the children and families of Northumberland County.
Indigenous Early Years Coordinator
Darion, Wasa-Nabin Program Worker
Aniin, my name is Darion, and I am proud to be Ojibwe and a member of Hiawatha First Nation. I work as the Wasa-Nabin Worker at Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre. Previously, I worked at Life Services in Hiawatha, where I helped plan, organize, and attend various programs for Indigenous youth in the community. Additionally, I have worked in multiple group home settings, providing support to high-risk youth aged 8-18. My interests are in Social Work and Psychology, and I have taken courses at both Fleming College and Trent University. I am excited about contributing my knowledge and work experience to this program, and I am looking forward to meeting all of you!
Akwe:go
Jess, Apatisiwin Employment and Training Counsellor
Kizhaay Anishnaabe Niin
Janice, Wiisinadaa
Janice is an Anishinaabe Kwe from Curve Lake First Nation and is a proud mother and Gran. She holds a diploma in Diabetes Prevention and is certified as a Community Food Educator. Janice has also catered and facilitated many events. Her work experience includes Curve Lake First Nation as a Community Health Representative, Peterborough Public Health as a Community Worker, and at Nourish as the Community Engagement Facilitator. Janice has many years of experience teaching food skills to youth and adults of all ages and looks forward to cooking with the Nogojiwanong community as the Wiisinadaa Program Worker.
David, Housing Case Coordinator
Adrienne, Youth Cultural Resource Coordinator
Aaniin, Adrienne n’dishnicaas, Wshkiigaamong n’donjiba. Wabizeshii n’dodem. Anishinaabe kwe n’dow. Greetings, my name is Adrienne, and I am a proud Anishnaabe kwe and a member of Curve Lake First Nation. I am from the Marten Clan. I was raised in my community and was taught early in my life the importance of family, community, and the traditional cultural ways of being and doing. Culture and the traditional ways of my people have always been an important aspect of my life. I was taught that there are many teachings and there is no wrong or right way in those teachings. I am reviving those ways of being by relearning and incorporating them in all aspects of my life. My teachings come from listening to the stories of the Elder Knowledge Keepers from my community and our responsibilities of looking after each other. A teaching that I received is that learning is not a one-time journey, and we are always on that path of learning. I have three diplomas in Art and Design, Personal Support Worker, and Mental Health and Addictions with Indigenous Perspectives Designation. My learning journey will also encompass learning from you, which I look forward to.
Kristina, Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound Coordinator
Jessica, Gladue Aftercare Worker
Kay, Bookkeeper
Kay graduated from the Law Clerk program at Fleming College in 2011 but decided she wanted a different career path. In 2015 she went back to school and graduated with a diploma in Accounting from Fleming College in 2018. She comes to the Friendship Centre from Business Management Services where she was a bookkeeper.
Samantha C, Indigenous Court Worker
Samantha C, B.A. (Hons)., M.A. grew up in Pontypool, which is part of the amalgamated city of Kawartha Lakes. She has gained critical knowledge through her educational background and volunteer participation, both of which have inspired her to help advocate for Indigenous People’s rights across Canada and appreciate their traditional practices and culture. Her M.A. is in Socio-Legal Studies and her B.A. is in Criminology and Justice. Samantha has previous work experience working with Jordan’s Principle as Service Coordinator where she strived to implement more equitable, accessible, and essential services for First Nation children with the aim to make a meaningful impact in their lives. As the Indigenous Court Worker with Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, she is committed to working with surrounding Indigenous community members and support them on their journey with the Canadian criminal justice system. She places an emphasis on implementing and encouraging healing plans, providing support as well as connecting service users to accessible programs and resources.
Kirstin, Administrative Assistant
Kirstin is Haudenosaunee from the Tyendinaga and was born and raised in the Peterborough area. She has developed a strong passion for the community and has always found ways to have a positive impact through years of volunteer work. Having been raised off the reservation, Kirstin brings firsthand knowledge of the difficulties Indigenous youth and individuals face when trying to stay connected to their culture. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog and cat and surrounds herself with family and friends whenever she can. Kirstin enjoys various forms of arts and crafts, particularly painting and drawing, and is always willing to try something new. She is excited to bring her passion for community and culture to the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre.
Ivana, Secondary School Program Coordinator
Ivana, an Anishinaabe Kwe from Curve Lake First Nation, calls Peterborough home. As the Alternative Secondary School Coordinator at Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, she blends her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Trent University with teaching and academic coaching experience to support Indigenous students in achieving their high school diplomas. With a passion for empowerment, Ivana guides each student on a journey of self-discovery, turning education into a lifelong adventure of fulfillment and possibility.
Katie, Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living Program Worker
Katie is an Anishinaabe Kwe (Ojibwe) and Irish descendant. She grew up in Alderville First Nation. After high school, Katie took a social work diploma on Vancouver Island. She then went on to take a joint degree in communication and community studies on Cape Breton Island. She has travelled and lived in many places around the country and the globe. Part-time, she coordinates communications for the Aron Indigenous Circle (a co-op movie theatre). Katie loves the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre and her role in helping the community. She also enjoys backcountry camping, biking, hiking and potlucks with friends.
Laycia, HR/Operations Manager
Laycia (she/they) is a first-generation change-maker, community worker, and HR/Operations specialist with expertise in project development, personal wellness, community empowerment, and cross-cultural communication. She is a passionate ally to Indigenous peoples and takes pride in bridge-building work aimed at improving service delivery for BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ youth as well as future generations living in urban communities. With ancestral roots in Jamaica, Laycia brings a unique and valuable perspective to her work which she carries out in an anti-oppressive and decolonizing way. When she’s not working, Laycia enjoys nature walks, growing her own food, and spending time with her family and friends.